Cancelled One Direction concert in Belfast rescheduled for Friday

There is good news for disappointed One Direction fans. Tuesday night’s cancelled concert is to be rescheduled for Friday night.

Both Wednesday and Thursday night's concerts will go ahead as planned. The Belfast Giants have agreed to move their ice hockey game to accommodate disappointed One Direction fans.

Fans were stunned when Tuesday's concert was abruptly cancelled because Liam Payne was "very, very ill", according to fellow band member Harry Styles though the nature of that illness was not disclosed.

Many fans, including mother and daughter, Sandra and Keelin Hynes from Co Offaly, had paid for tickets and accommodation in Belfast and were out of pocket by €500 as a result.

"It happened so late because we were trying to get on and then it was just impossible," Styles told BBC Radio 2's Chris Evans.

“He was trying to get there last night and he was just very, very ill. We very, very much apologise to everyone.”

This is the first time in One Direction’s five-year career that they have been forced to cancel a show. Previously, members had filled in for each other when illness struck.

Louis Tomlinson tweeted: "We're so so sorry for what happened tonight, it was out of our control ! Lots of love to Liam and thank you for being so understanding !"

SSE Arena general manager Neil Walker said they were able to offer a compromise after a night of last minute negotiations with the Belfast Giants ice hockey team who have agreed to move their game to another date.

“We are very grateful to them for their understanding and accommodation of the nearly 10,000 young concert fans who were so devastated by the cancellation last night,” Mr Walker said.

“We apologise again for the inconvenience caused last night and reassure fans that The SSE Arena, Belfast was only made aware of Liam’s illness just before the band was due to perform.”

A statement from Aiken Promotions released at around midday confirmed: “Tonight’s and tomorrow night’s One Direction concerts in SSE Arena, Belfast will be going ahead as planned.

“Once again we apologise for the cancellation of last night’s One Direction show. We thank everyone for their understanding and their good wishes to Liam.

“Tuesday’s concert has been rescheduled for this Friday 23rd October. All tickets from last night’s postponed concert will be valid for Friday.

“For anyone not able to attend the rescheduled Show on Friday, please contact point of purchase for detail of how to obtain a refund.

“We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Belfast Giants & Sheffield Steelers ice hockey teams and fans for moving their game on Friday.”